ICE arrests Brazilian illegal alien unlawfully operating tractor-trailer

WASHINGTON - On May 27, ICE's Homeland Security Investigations Harrisonburg office reported the administrative arrest of Lins Dos Santos-Melo, an illegal alien from Brazil, during enforcement operations on Interstate 81 in Virginia. Dos Santos-Melo possessed a valid Massachusetts driver's license but did not have a commercial driver's license, which is required for the vehicle and trailer combination he was operating.

"Commercial driver's license requirements exist for a reason," said acting ICE Director David J. Venturella. "When someone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle this size without the training and qualifications required by law, they're putting every family sharing that roadway at risk. Lins Dos Santos-Melo had no legal basis to remain in the United States and no legal authority to operate that vehicle. ICE will continue working with our law enforcement partners to identify and remove those who disregard our immigration laws and public safety laws."

Dos Santos-Melo's arrest follows a series of illegal alien truck driver arrests across the nation, including the April 2026 arrest of Rajinder Kumar, who killed young newlyweds William Micah Carter and Jennifer Lynn Lower. In February, ICE arrested Bekzhan Beishekeev, who's accused of causing a fatal crash in Indiana that claimed four people's lives.

Massachusetts offers driver's licenses to all residents, regardless of their immigration status, under the Work and Family Mobility Act, which took effect in 2023, under the Biden administration. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell - along with attorneys general from 18 states and the District of Columbia - opposed the final rule that limits states' ability to issue commercial driver's licenses to non-domiciled individuals. The final rule, which went into effect March 16, was a key initiative of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE's public safety mission on X at @ICEgov.